Chapter 49: Blind Ambition

{If you enjoyed this story, I'd be incredibly grateful if you took a moment to leave a review! Your feedback means the world to me—it helps others discover my work and inspires me to keep writing.

Thank you so much for reading! 💛}

[+200 power stones = +1 extra chapter]

====================================

Sakura sat up straight, her voice firm as she addressed her father. "Dad, what are you talking about? How could I possibly commit robbery?"

Her father flinched at her intensity. "I didn't say robbery! I just meant you shouldn't..."

Sakura sighed, cutting him off. "Let me explain."

She went on to detail how she and Naruto had made their fortune by selling photos, specifically the now-infamous innocent-looking Sasuke portraits that had taken the market by storm. All of it had been her idea.

By the time she finished, her father's initial shock had melted into pride. It was almost surreal. He had worked his entire life to provide for their family, yet his daughter had achieved financial freedom in just over a month.

But Sakura's mother wasn't as easily impressed. She studied her daughter with a strange, knowing look.

Because she, too, owned one of those Sasuke photos.

And the poses?

Only someone with a very particular imagination could have designed them.

For the first time, Sakura's mother felt like she was seeing her daughter in a whole new light.

After dividing the profits, Naruto and Sakura dissolved their little enterprise. Naruto had no interest in continuing, he had more than enough money now.

But wealth like that never stayed unnoticed for long.

Soon, Naruto found himself summoned to the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, puffing on his pipe as usual. He regarded Naruto with a stern expression. "Naruto, you're still young. Handling such a large sum of money recklessly could lead to… complications."

Naruto smirked. "Are you suggesting I don't keep my own money?"

Hiruzen cleared his throat. "The village's funds have been… strained lately."

Naruto feigned sympathy. "Ah, that is unfortunate."

Then he said nothing else.

The silence stretched awkwardly. Hiruzen's face reddened slightly.

Finally, Naruto broke the tension with a dramatic sigh. "Well, since the village is struggling, I suppose I can't just stand by."

Hiruzen perked up only for Naruto to add, "Tell you what, I'll delay collecting my parents inheritance for another three months. Consider it my contribution to Konoha. Long live the Will of Fire!"

Hiruzen blinked. "What?"

Naruto bowed deeply. "Then it's settled, Hokage-sama. I'll come back in three months. Hopefully, the village's finances will have improved by then."

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode out, leaving Hiruzen speechless.

'Nice try, old man. My money is my money.'

He'd earned it fair and square, no way was he just handing it over.

Not long after Naruto left, Danzo stormed into the Hokage's office.

"Hiruzen!" he barked. "Uzumaki Naruto has resealed the Nine-Tails into himself in secret! He's hiding his true intentions!"

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Danzo, don't jump to conclusions. Naruto hasn't shown any hostility toward the village."

"Jinchūriki must be controlled!" Danzo snapped. "If you hadn't interfered from the start, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

Hiruzen stayed silent, Danzo wasn't wrong.

But even if given the chance, Hiruzen would make the same choice again, keeping Danzo away from Naruto was non-negotiable.

It was his promise to Minato, his last line in the sand.

The two elders glared at each other, the tension thick.

Until the door creaked open again.

Naruto poked his head in, grinning. "Hey, sorry, forgot something."

Hiruzen stiffened. "Naruto? What are you..."

Naruto's smile didn't waver. "Oh, I just heard someone was plotting against me. Thought I'd check it out."

His gaze slid to Danzo.

Danzo's single visible eye twitched.

Despite Naruto's cheerful demeanor, an inexplicable chill ran down Danzo's spine.

Naruto tilted his head. "You know, we all live in the same village. Wouldn't it be easier if we just… got along?"

Danzo's eye narrowed. "Sarutobi, see? The Jinchūriki is already beyond your control." He turned back to Naruto. "Uzumaki Naruto, you have two choices."

He raised a finger. "One, hand over 200 million ryō."

A second finger. "Two, surrender the Nine-Tails."

Naruto sighed. "Hmm… how about three?"

WHOOSH—

THUD.

"AAAGH!"

Danzo staggered, clutching his now-empty eye socket. Blood seeped between his fingers.

Hiruzen's breath caught in his throat.

Naruto had moved, so fast even the Hokage hadn't seen it.

Not the Flying Thunder God, just raw speed.

A Body Flicker so refined it left a sonic boom in its wake.

Danzo dropped to his knees, snarling. "You dare attack me?! Hiruzen, look at what your leniency has wrought! The Jinchūriki is a monster!"

Behind the scenes, Danzo subtly signaled his Root operatives to stand down.

Naruto ignored the theatrics, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "See, this is why we can't have nice things."

He could tolerate Hiruzen. The old man was soft-handed, harmless.

But Danzo?

Danzo was a hawk.

And Naruto didn't leave threats unchecked.

Not in reality, not when they came for him directly.

...

T/N: Thanks for the support from: Lam Sha, Black Widow, Hamza Masfar, Lord Of the Mysteries, Andrew, Jiri Stehule, trey hill, Agustin Monti, Tightless, Impulsionimulsion.